- In 2026 the printed packaging market is valued at $578.5 billion with modest growth between 2021 and 2025
- Growth is forecast to continue with both volume and value increasing by 3.6% CAGR to 2031
- Asia Pacific is the largest region for printed packaging and will see good growth across the review period
The printing industry continues to find lucrative opportunities in packaging, a sector being reshaped by regulation, new packaging formats and shifting brand owner requirements. This report examines the global market for package printing, segmented by printing technology across each major packaging substrate, end-use application, and geographic region, offering a detailed view of a sector being impacted by seismic change.
Growth was modest between 2021 and 2025, with corrugated packaging declining in both volume and value following the pandemic-driven e-commerce boom, while metal, labels and cartons grew strongly. All packaging categories are forecast to grow between 2026 and 2031. Asia Pacific remains the largest and fastest-growing region, while North America and Europe stay comparatively static. Demographics, sustainability regulations, AI and automation, e-commerce, and workforce pressures continue to shape demand, though printed packaging remains more resilient to geopolitical and economic shocks than other print sectors, given its essential nature.
Key questions answered within this report
- While the general shape of the market remains unchanged, which print process stands to benefit most from the rise in package printing?
- Which end uses offer the greatest opportunities for expansion?
- How will the market adapt to increasing regulation?
- How will AI and automation reshape workflow, converting and packaging design over the coming years?
- To what extent will demographic shifts, such as population growth and the rise of the middle class in developing regions, drive demand for printed packaging?
About the author
Jon Harper Smith is a leading authority on the global printing industry with over 40 years’ experience spanning ink chemistry, business strategy, and market analysis. As a subject matter expert for Smithers, he contributes to research reports, consultancy projects, and industry events, with a particular focus on graphics, publication, packaging, and industrial & functional print markets. Before joining Smithers, Jon held senior leadership roles at Fujifilm, most recently as Head of Strategy, where he played a central role in developing its inkjet ink and systems business.
Report Format
Smithers' market reports are now delivered in PowerPoint format – redesigned for easier navigation and faster access to insights, without losing any analytical depth. Every report also comes with our Latest Data Guarantee: if major industry developments occur within 12 months of publication, we'll update the data, forecasts, and analysis at no extra cost, so your investment stays relevant for longer.
Interested in our package printing research? Get in touch with the team using the links below, or message us to request sample pages.
Executive summary
Introduction and methodology
Key drivers and trends
Competitive landscape
Technology developments
Market size and forecasts
Market by type
Labels
Corrugated packaging
Cartons
Flexible packaging
Rigid plastic packaging
Metal packaging
Market by print process
Offset litho
Gravure
Flexo
Screen
Other analogue
Digital
Market by end use
Food
Drink
Healthcare
Cosmetics
Other consumer
Industrial, transit, other
Market by geography
Western Europe
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
UK
Others
North America
Canada
US
Asia
China
India
Japan
Others
Latin America
Brazil
Mexico
Others
Eastern Europe
Poland
Russia
Others
Middle East
Turkey
Others
Africa
Australasia
Package & label printing output by pack type, 2021–2031 ($ million, billion A4 prints or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by print process, 2021–2031 ($ million, billion A4 prints or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by end-use, 2021–2031 ($ million, billion A4 prints or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by end-use, 2021–2031 ($ million, billion A4 prints or equivalent)
Printed packaging transition table, 2026-2031
Macroeconomic effect and the printed packaging impact, low-high positive-negative
Regulation description, by geographic region
Key suppliers or materials, paper and paperboard, plastic films, metal, glass
Packaging converters by key segments
Sheetfed offset machinery manufacturers – companies and key highlights
Gravure printing machinery manufacturers – companies and key highlights
CI flexo press printing machinery manufacturers – companies and key highlights
In-line flexo printing machinery manufacturers – companies and key highlights
Digital printing machinery manufacturers – companies and key highlights
M&A activity: Company, target and analysis
Software developments in workflow, by company
Global: package & label printing output, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
Global: package & label printing output by type, 2021–31 ($ million, billion A4 or equivalent)
Global: package & label printing output by print process, 2021–31 ($ million, billion A4 or equivalent)
Global: package & label printing output by end-use, 2021–31 ($ million, billion A4 or equivalent)
Global: package & label printing output by geographical markets, 2021–31 ($ billion; trillion A4 or equivalent)
Global: package & label printing output by type, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
For each type (Labels, Corrugated, Cartons, Flexible, Metal):Printing output, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
Printing output by print process, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
Printing output by end-use, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
For each print process (Offset litho, Gravure, Flexo, Screen, Other analogue, Digital):
Package & label printing output, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by type, 2021–31 ($ million, billion A4 or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by geography, 2021–31 (million A4 or equivalent; $ million)
Global: package & label printing output by end-use, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
For each end use (Food, Drink, Healthcare, Cosmetics, Other consumer, Industrial, transit, other):
Package & label printing output, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by type, 2021–31 ($ million)
Package & label printing output by geographical markets, 2021–31 ($ billion; trillion A4 or equivalent)
Global: package & label printing output by geographical markets, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
For each region (Western Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australasia):
Package & label printing output, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by type, 2021–31 ($ million, billion A4 or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by print process, 2021–31 ($ million, billion A4 or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by end-use, 2021–31 ($ million*)
Package & label printing output by end-use, 2021–31 (billion a4 or equivalent)
For each country (France, Germany, Italy, Spain UK, Canada, US, China, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Others):
Package & label printing output, 2021–31 ($ million; billion A4 or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by type, 2021–31 ($ million, billion A4 or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by print process, 2021–31 ($ million, billion A4 or equivalent)
Package & label printing output by end-use, 2021–31 ($ million*)
Package & label printing output by end-use, 2021–31 (billion a4 or equivalent)
